Mother's Day is this Sunday(in case you didn't know). One gift that is always popular to give Mom is flowers, and who doesn't love flowers? This year it is estimated that flowers will accountant for just over $12 billion of the total $18.6 billion in Mother's day gifts given.

Did you know that all flower providers are not all the same? How, you may ask. Well let me explain the basic differences between them and you can decided which is better for you.

A. Order your flowers from a local florist. Talk to a person, support a local business. Most offer freshness guarantees and deliver a quality arrangement with a designers touch, no assembly required. The floral arrangements will also be more individual because a florist is able to personalize to your recipient.

B. When you order flowers from say FTD or another wire service they forward you order on to a local florist and keep a cut of the profits for themselves. Your local florist who is then paid less for the same arrangement also has to pay a membership to the provider. You will most likely receive a cookie cutter arrangement, and they are not always as pictured. C. You order flowers from someone like ProFlowers who ships the flowers "fresh from the farms" you'll will receive flowers delivered via a carrier like FedEx and the flowers will arrive in a box, requiring the recipient to unpack and make the arrangement themselves. Vases are usually not included and you will be charged extra if you want one added to your order.

I maybe a bit bias but I feel when you support a local florist everyone wins. Most small business owners return the favor and spend their dollars in the same community. They provide local jobs, the owners live and work in the communities themselves and feel vested in the area. Their prices may be a bit more but when you consider the benefits, I feel they out weigh the possibilities of disaster tenfold. If you are sending flowers this Mother's Day, I recommend taking the time and looking up a local florist and place your order directly. Even if they are in a different area it will be worth the effort. If you need help, let us know, and we will find you a local florist who can help.